LCIC produces report on biochar for EEDA
The report suggests that biochar application to soils in the East of England could have a very significant impact on crop yields by improving the retention of key soil nutrients and enhancing soil moisture holding capacity across the eastern region. The report also highlights that biochar could potentially play a major role in tackling climate change via the long term removal of carbon from the atmosphere and by reducing the emissions of other greenhouse gases from soils.
Further potential benefits resulting from the future development of a biochar industry would be job creation and increased economic activity across the region. The report entitled "Biochar and Carbon Sequestration: A Regional Perspective" was written by technical staff at LCIC in partnership with Cranfield University's National Soil Resources Institute and the consultancy firm Collison and Associates Ltd. This is the first time such a comprehensive study of biochar has been undertaken in the UK context and it places the East of England at the forefront of strategic decision making on bioenergy, biochar production and biochar benefit for soils and agriculture.
In May 2009, LCIC hosted an event for key stakeholders to disseminate the findings of the report and discuss the development of a regional strategy for the creation of a biochar industry.
Dr Bruce Tofield and Dr Zoe Wallage of LCIC, Martin Collison of Collison and Associates Ltd and Dr. Ruben Sakrabani of Cranfield University presented their findings followed by a guided discussion forum, chaired by UEA's Professor John Turner, Associate Dean for Enterprise and Engagement (SCI), which gathered opinion from the invited audience on a number of key discussion themes. The presentations and the report are available for download below.
Johnathan Reynolds, Sustainable Development Manager at EEDA said: “We are delighted to have such a thorough and thought-provoking report to disseminate. As a predominantly rural region with high economic dependency on agricultural sectors, the East of England is well-placed to become a leader in this newly-emerging area and has the expertise, experience and network in place to maximise the potential of biochar. "
Click here to access the report
Dr. Bruce Tofield's presentation slides
Dr. Zoe Wallage's presentation slides
Dr. Ruben Sakrabani's presentation slides
Martin Collison's presentation slides
The Biomass Environmental Assessment Tool (BEAT2), provided by Defra, the Biomass Energy Centre and the Environment Agency is an aid to assessing the likely environmental impact of a biomass energy project. Click here to read more and to use the BEAT2 tool.
